Kelowna dentist refutes allegations in lawsuit over wisdom teeth extraction

A Kelowna dentist says the patient who's taking him to court over an alleged botched surgery to remove wisdom teeth should have taken better care of his gums after the operation.

Dr. Dionysius David filed a response, Sept. 28, to a lawsuit in which he asserts there were no indications the surgery to remove a man's wisdom teeth went poorly until he returned months later.

Instead, David claims Tyran Pearce "failed to take all reasonable care for his own dental health" and didn't follow post-op care instructions, according to his BC Supreme Court response.

Pearce filed his notice of claim in Kelowna on June 30, in which he said he had to go to an emergency room for antibiotics and painkillers and six weeks later he was still in pain.

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Pearce is seeking damages for his pain and what he claims was excessive bone removal, which came after the surgery site got infected.

David said Pearce gave his informed consent ahead of the operation and was warned there was a chance of residual bone fragments could work themselves out and that it could get infected.

Pearce returned to the Kelowna clinic Care Dental to see a different doctor around one week after the initial surgery. That dentist cleaned the area and said it was "really good," according to David.

Pearce's wisdom teeth were removed on July 2, but it was in early September when Pearce returned because the infection was getting worse. David said Pearce didn't coming in earlier because the patient was working "up north."

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David is in good standing with his professional regulator and denies any negligence.

Although David responded in court, he hasn't yet been served Pearce's notice of claim.

Neither of their claims have been proven in court.

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